Sympathoexcitatory Responses to Isometric Handgrip Exercise Are Associated With White Matter Hyperintensities in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Vascular dysfunction may occur prior to declines in cognitive function and accumulation of neuropathology. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) develop due to cerebral ischemia and elevated blood pressure in midlife. The purpose of this study was to evaluate associations between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses to sympathoexcitatory stimuli and WMH burden in cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older adults.

The Impact of Aging on the Association Between Aortic Stiffness and Cerebral Pulsatility Index.

The central arteries dampen the pulsatile forces from myocardial contraction, limiting the pulsatility that reaches the cerebral vasculature, although there are limited data on this relationship with aging in humans. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between aortic stiffness and cerebral artery pulsatility index in young and older adults. We hypothesized that cerebral pulsatility index would be associated with aortic stiffness in older adults, but not in young adults.

Impact of age and cyclooxygenase inhibition on the hemodynamic response to acute cognitive challenges.

Structural and functional changes in the cerebral vasculature occur with advancing age, which may lead to impaired neurovascular coupling (NVC) and cognitive decline. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition abolishes age-related differences in cerebrovascular reactivity, but it is unclear if COX inhibition impacts NVC. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of aging on NVC before and after COX inhibition.

Exercise, Arterial Stiffness, and Cerebral Vascular Function: Potential Impact on Brain Health.

Unlabelled: Exercise is associated with higher cognitive function and is a promising intervention to reduce the risk of dementia. With advancing age, there are changes in the vasculature that have important clinical implications for brain health and cognition. Primary aging and vascular risk factors are associated with increases in arterial stiffness and pulse pressure, and reductions in peripheral vascular function.

An Innovative Clinical Concept Map to Promote Clinical Judgment in Nursing Students.

Background: Clinical judgment is an essential component of nursing education and a necessary skill for entry-level nurses. The use of traditional concept maps may not encourage adequate clinical judgment skills in nursing students.

Method: Using the current NCLEX test plan, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing clinical judgment model, and the theoretical frameworks of Benner, Tanner, and Caputi, a new approach to concept mapping was developed.